Frequently Asked Questions

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Question

I have a private pilot's license; can I be commissioned as an aviator?

Answer

NOAA Corps has two venues for recruiting pilots:

Personnel brought in as an Inter-Service Transfer from the US Navy for the distinct purpose of P-3 support.
Acceptance to flight training following an initial three year assignment at sea as a bridge watchstander.

Note: An officer is not guaranteed aviation training upon commissioning. Pilots and Navigators have strict vision and other physical requirements.

Question

I am currently in another branch of service, how can I transition into NOAA Corps?

Answer

NOAA Corps has two venues to transition from another branch of service:

Inter-Service Transfer:

Requests for Inter-Service Transfer to NOAA Corps are evaluated individually. The decision to accept or deny an Inter-Service Transfer request is based on the immediate needs of NOAA Corps and the rank, skills, and experience of the applicant. Qualified Inter-Service Transfer applicants may be considered for direct placement in NOAA's aviation or maritime program.

All Inter-Service Transfer applicants must have less than 12 years total creditable service time and rank no higher than O-4.

Commissioned officers retain their rank at 100%. Enlisted and Reserve personnel are not eligible for Inter-Service Transfers.

For more information click on Inter-Service Transfer

Note: Banner at top of page will indicate type of Inter-Service Transfer applicants (aviation/maritime) NOAA Corps is currently accepting.

New Recruit:

Prior service members (commissioned/enlisted) and reservist applicants that do not qualify for an Inter-Service Transfer may apply for the NOAA Corps as a new recruit. New recruits must be fully discharged or a conditional release authorized prior to the start of BOTC training. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements

Prior commissioned officers receive credits of at least 50% of their commissioned service time for promotion purposes. If creditable service time is granted, it will be applied upon appointment to the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) or above. 100% of all prior creditable service time is used for pay/retirement purposes.

Prior enlisted personnel receive no credit for promotional purposes. 100% of prior creditable service time is used for pay/retirement purposes.

Note: 4 or more years of creditable service qualifies for O-1E pay; For more information click on Pay and Benefits

For more information click on New Recruits. All new recruits attend the same Basic Officer Training regardless of prior service.

Question

If I am a retired service member, can I join NOAA Corps?

Answer

Retiring from any of the other six uniform services makes an applicant ineligible for appointment.

Question

What is Basic Officer Training Class like?

Answer

For more information click on Basic Officer Training

Question

Do I have to get my hair cut at Basic Officer Training?

Answer

For more information on personal appearance click on Basic Officer Training Requirements

Question

Does NOAA Corps decide where I will be stationed or will I have input?

Answer

During Basic Officer Training Class, each officer will submit a memorandum listing his/her top three choices for their first ship assignment. The needs of the service are primary and there is no guarantee of assignment. However, each officer's assignment preference and education is taken into consideration. For future assignments, whenever possible, NOAA Corps will try to match an officer's assignment with one of his/her skills, background and assignment preferences.

For more information on NOAA's fleet click on NOAA's Marine Operations

For billet descriptions click on Assignments

Question

What will I do at my first duty station?

Answer

All officers completing Basic Officer Training Class will serve up to 3 years stationed aboard one of NOAA's research vessels. General duties include familiarization with assigned ship and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Performing inport Officer of the Deck (OOD) duties; Standing navigational watches as Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD), typically in a "4 hours on, 8 hours off" schedule; Performing collateral duties as assigned (i.e. correcting navigational charts, tracking imprest fund, environmental compliance, safety and damage control, etc.)

Question

Does NOAA Corps have any summer jobs, internship or co-op opportunities?

Answer

NOAA Corps does not currently offer summer jobs, internship, or co-op employment programs. However, some civilian NOAA programs have a limited number of such opportunities depending on your specific interests.

For more information click on NOAA Careers and NOAA Volunteer Opportunities